Florida insurance CSR license requirements
Florida is one of the few states with a license made for agency service staff: the 4-40 customer representative.
Florida CSRs usually hold one of three licenses: the 4-40 customer representative license for salaried agency staff working under a licensed agent, the 20-44 personal lines license, or the 2-20 general lines license. Unlicensed staff may set appointments and gather basic information on existing coverage, but rule 69B-222.060 says they may never compare products, advise, interpret coverage, bind or solicit.
Florida's three licenses for agency staff
| 4-40 Customer Representative | 20-44 Personal Lines | 2-20 General Lines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Service work for one agency, under a licensed agent | Personal P&C for individuals and families | Personal and commercial P&C, and more |
| How you qualify | Approved designation within 4 years, or a degree with 9 insurance credit hours | 60-hour course plus state exam | 200-hour course plus state exam |
| Exam | None | Pearson VUE | Pearson VUE |
| Works for | One agency only, inside that office | Any appointing agency | Any appointing agency |
| CE every 2 years | 10 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours |
The 4-40, in more detail
- For a salaried employee of a general lines agency, under a designated supervising agent.
- Can hold only one appointment, with one agent or agency.
- Works inside that office, and business is in the agent's name.
- Approved designations include AAI, ACSR, AINS, CIC, CISR, CPCU and others listed by DFS.
- Applicants must be Florida residents, with an exception for residents of bordering states who work under a Florida agent.
What unlicensed staff can't do
Florida's rule 69B-222.060 is one of the clearest in the country. Unlicensed agency personnel may never:
- compare insurance products, advise on insurance needs, or interpret policies or coverages;
- bind new, additional or replacement coverage, or record additional property under existing policies;
- solicit insurance by phone, in person or any other way, or have a substantive discussion of insurance products.
They may phone people to set appointments for licensed staff and get basic information on existing coverage.
Fees and fingerprints
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $50, plus a $5 license ID fee |
| Exam (Pearson VUE) | $44 |
| Fingerprints (all licenses, including 4-40) | $52.50, paid to the vendor |
| Resident appointment | $60 |
Remote and out-of-state staff
Agents living in other states can get a Florida nonresident general lines license (9-20) if they hold the same lines in their home state. No Florida exam is required.
Check a Florida license
Use the DFS licensee search for Florida residents, or check any producer's NPN in NIPR.
Where Humai fits
Humai matches U.S.-licensed agents who hold Florida licenses, checked in NIPR, to quote, bind and advise in your AMS under your agency's name, the work unlicensed staff can never do under Florida's rule.
Questions agency owners ask
What is a Florida 4-40 license?
The customer representative license, for a salaried employee of a general lines agency working under a licensed agent. It requires an approved designation such as CISR, AAI or CIC awarded within the past 4 years, or a degree with at least 9 credit hours of insurance. There's no pre-licensing course or exam.
What's the difference between a 4-40 and a 2-20 in Florida?
A 2-20 is the full general lines agent license, earned with a 200-hour course and the state exam. A 4-40 is limited to working for one agency, inside that office, with business in the supervising agent's name.
What does the Florida 20-44 license cover?
Personal lines: property and casualty insurance sold to individuals and families for noncommercial purposes. It requires a 60-hour course and the state exam.
What can unlicensed staff do at a Florida agency?
Under rule 69B-222.060, they may phone people to set appointments for licensed staff and get basic information about existing coverage. They may never compare products, advise, interpret coverage, bind, record additional property, or solicit sales.
How much CE do Florida agents need?
2-20 and 20-44 licensees need 24 hours every 2 years, including a 4-hour law and ethics update. 4-40 licensees need 10 hours. CE is due by the end of the licensee's birth month.
Can an out-of-state agent work Florida accounts?
Yes, with a Florida nonresident license. They must hold the same lines in their home state, and no Florida exam is required.
Sources
- Florida Administrative Code 69B-222.060, unlawful activities by unlicensed insurance agency personnel
- Florida Statutes 626.7351, customer representative qualifications
- Florida Statutes 626.7352, customer representative office
- Florida DFS: Exams
- Florida DFS: Fees
- Florida DFS: Continuing education
- Florida DFS: Licensee search
Licensing rules differ by state. This article is general information, not legal advice. Check with your state's department of insurance.